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Biography

Callum Watson is an award winning pianist, composer and producer specialising in both Jazz and Classical music.

Geelong Advertiser has named him one of “the most creatively gifted musicians in the state” and he recently won the Margaret Schofield Scholarship for composition.

Furthermore, Weekend Notes sees Watson “emerging as one of Australia’s most exciting composers and pianists” after a 5 star review of an exciting new recital program in late 2017.

Watson began his piano studies at the age of four, winning his first competition at the age of nine. He has performed on the piano since the end of primary school at the age of ten.

An improvising pianist, Watson has appeared with big bands, rock bands, world music ensembles, chamber groups and small jazz ensembles whilst based in Melbourne. This unique experience along with a strong command of his instrument and a powerful stage persona has made him a strong presence in Classical and Jazz music.

Flautist Jessica Zuk enjoys performing works of all shapes and sizes – from the intimacy of solo and chamber repertoire to the thrill of orchestral music, though she maintains a particular affection for music of the Baroque era.

She discovered a love of piccolo playing after taking up a position with the Monash Academy Orchestra; and has also participated in Melbourne Youth Music’s ensembles as well as other large ensembles at Monash University.

Most recently she has recorded new works for the Callum Watson group at St Andrew’s Brighton, as well as a chamber performance of Vivaldi’s flute concerto La Notte; and has appeared at Live at Voltaire with the Callum Watson group.

Jessica is also trained as a classical mezzo-soprano, and her singing credits include prizes at Victorian eisteddfods as well as solo performances for the 2014 Time to Shine schools’ gala and the 2015 Melbourne PolArt festival.

Joel Hands-Otte's (Clarinet) love for music began with the piano at the age of four, slowly encompassing many woodwind instruments such as clarinet, saxophone, flute and oboe by high school. While completing his undergraduate degree on the clarinet, Joel fell in love with the bass clarinet. An instrument for all styles and a musician with a love for all genres - it was a perfect match.

By the end of his bachelor degree, Joel decided he would undertake Honor’s on the bass clarinet. Joel researched extensively, contacting many composers to uncover a vast range of repertoire specifically written for the bass clarinet. In his quest, Joel found many wonderful gems such as Classically-inspired pieces, Latin, Jazz, Funk and Contemporary works from around the world. Joel has also obtained a number of compositions from Australian composers and even had works commissioned for him.

Joel has been an active member of many different and diverse ensembles at Monash, performing as Principal Bass Clarinetist in the Monash Wind Symphony and Monash Academy Orchestra. He has also been an integral part of the Monash Art Ensemble, specialising in contemporary music from Australian composers.